PETER: That's been a tremendous help, Jens. Really helped to clarify things. We'll get these proposals off to the agency, see what they have to say. Can you help with that, Maria?
MARIA: Certainly.

PETER: Paula will show you how. I've got to go, I'm afraid. I've got another meeting.

JENS: (to Maria) Promotion!

PETER: Oh, by the way, my wife Daphne and I want to invite you to dinner one day this week. Perhaps tomorrow evening, if that suits you?

MARIA: That's very kind. I'd love to come.

JENS: I'd be delighted. What sort of time?

PETER: Oh, 7:30. Nothing formal. Just the four of us. My wife's very much looking forward to meeting you both.

MARIA: That sounds nice. Do you live far from here?

PETER: No, not far. ③Best to take a taxi, though. Right, I must be going. See you later.

JENS: So that's Wednesday at 7:30?

PETER: That's right. See you tomorrow.

MARIA: That's a surprise.

JENS: Yes. I've got a car with me. I could ④give you a lift, if you like?

MARIA: That would be nice.

JENS: Did he mention his wife's name?

MARIA: Daphne.

彼得: 颜斯，这对我们的帮助实在太大了，让我们弄清楚了整件事情。把提案发给代理商吧，听听他们的意见。玛丽亚，你能帮助我处理这件事吗？

玛丽亚: 可以。

彼得: 波拉会告诉你如何做的。现在，我必须得走了，我有另外一个会要参加。

颜斯: (对玛丽亚说) 该提升你了吧！

彼得: 噢，顺便说一下，我和太太达夫妮想邀请各位本周去我家吃顿晚餐。明天怎么样，各位都有空吗？

玛丽亚: 太好了，我很乐意。

颜斯: 我也是。几点？

彼得: 嗯，7点半吧，不是非常正式，就咱们4个人。我太太一直都想见见各位。

玛丽亚: 真好。你们家离这远吗？

彼得: 不是很远。不过最好搭计程车过去。好，我得马上走了，再见。

颜斯: 是星期三晚上7点半吗？

彼得: 是的，明天见。

玛丽亚: 真是一大惊喜。

颜斯: 是啊。我开车来的，你愿意的话，我送你回家？

玛丽亚: 太好了。

颜斯: 他提到他太太的名字了吗？

玛丽亚: 达夫妮。#p#

suit /sj6t/ v. 适合；适应

delighted /di`laitid/ adj. 高兴的

③ best to... 最好……

A: Although it's fine now, best to bring an umbrella with you.

虽然现在是睛天，但你最好还是带上伞。

B: Sounds reasonable.

有道理。

④ give sb. a lift 送某人一程

A: Helen, hurry up! Mary will give us a lift to the railway station.

海伦，你动作快点儿。玛莉一会儿送我们去火车站。

B: I'm ready to go.

我已经准备好走了。

Language focus: Invitations 邀请

Inviting 邀请

We'd like to invite you to...

e.g. We'd like to invite you to our exhibition next Wednesday.

我们想邀请你参加下周三的展览会。

Would you like to come to...?

e.g. Would you like to come to the party this evening?

你能来参加今天晚上的聚会吗？

We wondered whether you could come to...?

e.g. We wondered whether you could come to our company on Thursday afternoon?

我们想知道你是否能在星期四下午来趟公司？

What about...?

e.g. What about bowling ?

去打保龄球怎么样？

Responding 回答

Accepting 接受

Thank you...

e.g. Thank you for your invitation.

谢谢你的邀请。

I'd love to.

我非常愿意去。

That would be nice.

那真是太好了。

I'd be delighted.

我很乐意去。

Declining 拒绝

I'd love to, but...

e.g. I'd love to, but I have promised to go home early tonight.

我非常愿意去，但我已经答应家人今天早点回家了。

I'm sorry, but I've got another engagement.

对不起，我已跟别人约好了。

I'm afraid I can't come. I'm going to...

e.g. I'm afraid I can't come. I'm going to see off a friend of mine.

我恐怕不能去了。我要给我的一个朋友送行。

NOTE: When declining an invitation, an explanation or excuse should normally be given.

注意： 当拒绝邀请时，一般要给出理由或解释。

Time 时间

Would Tuesday evening suit you?

星期二晚上你有空吗？

What sort of time?

什么时间合适啊？

Shall we say 8 o'clock?

8点怎么样？#p#

Let's say 8 for 8:30.(This means you should arrive anything between 8:00 and 8:30, but not later than 8:30.)

8点到8点半之间都可以。（这句话的意思是8点至8点半之间任何时间来都可以，但不要超过8点半。）

Place 地点

Is it far?

那里很远吗？

What's the best way of getting there?

怎样到那里最方便？

I'd recommend you take a taxi.

我建议你乘出租车。

I'll send/give you a map.

我会寄/给你地图。

Number 数量

It'll just be the four of us.

就我们4个人。

We've invited a few friends.

我会请几个朋友来。

There'll be six people there.

有6个人出席。

There'll be another couple from...

e.g. There'll be another couple from Spain.

会有另外一对西班牙夫妇参加。

Confirming 确认

So, that's 7:30 on Wednesday?

好，那就定在星期三晚上7点半。

Let me just confirm that. Tuesday at 8.00, at your place.

说好了，星期二晚上8点在你家。

I look forward to seeing you.

盼望着你的到来。